New South Wales women’s State of Origin debutant Jaime Chapman has called on the NRL to add a third match to the series after it was expanded to two games this year.
For the first time since 2008 the series will comprise two legs, starting at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium this Thursday before Game 2 in Townsville on June 22.
If the series finishes 1-1, the winner will be decided on points scored.
“It should be three,” Chapman said.
“It’s really stupid to have two games really, I think personally.
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“It’s something we’ve got to push for because there’s always an obvious winner, whereas if we win 1-1, it’s only going by points.
“But hopefully (there will be) three games in the near future, just like the boys.”
Despite the aggregate points clause, Chapman said the defending champions were determined to win both matches, but were taking nothing for granted.
“Having the one game, there’s always so much pressure on us, but with two games, we want to win both and we’re not going to stop trying,” she said.
“We’re still going to take it as if it’s one game and the pressure that’s on us to win.”
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Rugby recruit Brooke Anderson will fulfil one of her dreams as the 27-year-old joins Chapman for her Origin debut after nearly stepping away from sport altogether.
Having endured several years in which she was dogged by long-term injuries, the offer of a well-paid job lured her away from all sport for five years.
“I’ve had every injury you can think of and after that, mentally I wasn’t there anymore,” Anderson said.
It was after a heart-to-heart conversation with her partner that she decided to try league.
“As soon as I started rugby league, I had a goal to one day make Origin because it’s the pinnacle of the women’s game at the moment,” she said.
It’s the first time in three years Origin will be played in NSW, and Chapman and Anderson are excited to debut at home.
“Having it back in Sydney is just so good because it brings the excitement back,” Chapman said.
“The Origin excitement hasn’t been home for a while and now everyone gets to come to their home ground and get around us and support us.”
As an older player in the group, Anderson said she was determined to make the most of her opportunities.
“It’s pretty surreal to get that phone call at this time, but the opportunity is there,” she said.
“I’m a bit older so I don’t know how many years I’ve got left. I mean I’ve got plenty of years, but I like to make the most of everything, which is why I play hard.”
-AAP
